Tennis playing machine



April 39- J. J. FAZIOLI 2,155,480

TENNIS PLAYING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1935 Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for taking the place of a tennis player.

The object of this invention is to provide a device that will, as near as possible, strike a tennis 5 ball in the same manner as a tennis player would.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a device that can be adjusted to deliver the tennis balls to a player, as desired, and also to deliver the ball in a different direction each time that it is struck and in such a manner that the direction cannot be determined by the player.

My invention may take the form of a machine shown in the drawing, in which:

Figure l is a front view in elevation of my tennis playing machine.

Figure 2 is a side view thereof.

Figure 3 is a view, partly in central vertical section, illustrating the machine adjusted in a different angle and with the mechanism thereof shown in its rearward position.

Figure 4 is a plan view, in diagrammatic form, illustrating the twisting motion of the racquet.

Figure 5 is a front view illustrating the side motion of the racquet.

As shown in the drawing in which like numerals denote like parts, the numeral 5 denotes a support on which is adjustably mounted a base 6. A frame 7 is rockingly mounted on the base 6 by means of a shaft 8 which bearings 9.

extends through A shaft It is mounted to the upper portion of the said frame and a crank l l, having its axis angularly disposed to the axis of the said shaft is formed thereon.

A racquet I2, substantially of the same form as a standard tennis racquet, is rotatably mounted on the said crank portion H by means of a bearing 13. A positioning bar 14 is hingedly secured to said bearing l3, by means of a yoke I5, and extends downwardly through a slip bearing which consists of a rocking bar it hinged to bosses 17 extending from the frame 1.

The bar 14 is slidingly secured to the bar it by extending through an opening in the said rocking bar it.

shaft A drive I 8 is mounted on the base 6 in a bearing l9. A drive gear is secured to the said drive shaft and is rotated by means of an electric motor 2i through a speed reducing device, such as a worm gear 22.

The said frame 7 is oscillated on the base 6 by means of a crank 23 which is loosely mounted, on the shaft it, against the face of the gear 20. A crank driving pin 26 projects from the face of the gear 28 in position to engage the cranking link 23 and rotate it in the same direction as the gear.

The frame 1 is connected to the said connecting link by means of the connecting rod 25. The said frame is forced in a forward direction by means of a spring 26, which rests upon an extension 21, and is connected to the base 6 by a rod 28 on which is threaded a nut 29 to pro- 5 vide means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

On the base 6 is rigidly mounted a standard 30 for supporting a ball placing device which consists of a cylinder 3| that is positioned below 10 the racquet l2 and is in line therewith. A piston 32, slidable within said cylinder, is mounted on an extension 33 and has secured thereto a rod 34 which is slidably mounted in an adjusting sleeve 35 that is threaded to the said extension .15 33 for the purpose of adjusting the piston spring 36. The rod 34 is connected by means of a link 31 to a cranking link 38 that is loosely mounted on the shaft 39 which is rotatably mounted in, and projects through, the shaft 8. A disc 40 is .20 secured to said shaft, adjacent the link 38, and has a pin 4| projecting therefrom in position to engage and rotate the said link 38 with the shaft 39.

A chute 42 is formed in the upper portion of the 25 standard 30 for the purpose of supplying the balls to the cylinder 3| through an opening 43 therein.

A conveyor is provided in the form of an endless belt or chain 44 which is mounted on a pulley 45 rotatable in a bearing 46 on the standard 39, and 3 0 on a pulley 41 rotatable in a bearing 48 on the support 5. Ball lifting brackets 49 are secured to the belt 44. These brackets may be inthe form of a fork which is adapted to hold a ball while it is being lifted by the conveyor to the 35 chute 42. i

A trough 50 is positioned, preferably below the conveyor, in a position where it will receive the balls from a suitable net 5|. This trough extends in the same direction as the axis on 40 which the conveyor supporting portions 45 and 41 rotate in order that only one ball at a time will be positioned in front of the ball lifting brackets 49. The said trough is shown in a convenient form in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing ,4 but is not illustrated in detail for the reason that the same, together with the net 5! may be formed in any suitable manner to serve the purpose desired.

I The machine is installed for use upon a tennis 50 court in such a manner that it will occupy a positicn which is supposed to be occupied by a player. The net 5| is spread'out, back of the machine, and so adjusted that the balls will land on this net and roll by gravity into the trough 50.

Assuming that the said machine is suitably installed, the operation thereof is as follows:

A number of tennis balls are deposited in the chute 42. The person who is to play against the machine turns an electric switch supplying power to the motor 2i and takes his position on the court opposite the machine. The motor 2| will rotate the shaft l8 through the worm gear 22 and the gear 25. Rotation of the gear 20 will cause the pin 24 to engage the cranking link 23 and rotate it in the direction indicated by the arrow and thus, through the connecting rod 25, pull the frame I backwardly against the tension of the spring 26 to the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawing.

At the same time, rotation of the shaft l8, will, through the pulley 52, the belt 53 and the pulley 54, rotate the shaft 39 causing rotation of the disc 40. This will cause the pin ii to rotate the cranking link 38, in the direction indicated by the arrow, against the tension in the spring 36.

When the cranking link 33 reaches the position, shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is opposite to that shown in Figure 3, and the crank thereon passes the axis of the rod 35, the spring 36 will suddenly rotate the cranking link on the drive shaft 39 ahead of the drive pin, and at the same time force the piston 32 upwardly and project one of the balls 55 to the position shown in Figure 3. At this time the cranking link 23 has just passed the axis of the connecting rod 25. The spring 20 will then suddenly cause the said cranking link to rotate on the shaft it, ahead of the drive pin 24, and at the same time rock the frame I upwardly and cause the racquet l2 to strike the ball 55 in much the same manner as a player would strike the ball in ordinary playing.

When the ball is struck back by the person playing against the machine, it will land upon the net 5i which is spread as above described. The ball will then roll into the trough 5t and be picked up by the carriers 45 on the conveyor M which is continuously kept in motion by rotation of the shaft 5% through the pulley 5i and belt 53, pulley 59, the shaft 65, the pulley iii, the belt 62 and the pulley 53 on the shaft iii. The balls are carried upwardly and deposited on the chute 42 from which they will roll into the cylinder 3!.

It is pointed out that in ordinary playing an expert player will. ordinarily strike the ball with a twisting motion of the racquet in such a manner that it will cause the ball to spin. Also it is desired not to place the ball in the same position each time, as the player would quickly become accustomed to this and the effect of expert playing would be lost.

I provide for changing the direction in which the ball is struck so that it is different each time and also for changing the elevation of the ball as follows:

The crank l l is continuously rotated by means of a pulley 6d, the belt 65 and the pulley $35 which is rotated by the shaft as. The crank ii, being with its axis angularly disposed to the axis of the crank shaft iii, will raise and lower the racquet swinging the same from left to right as illustrated in Figure 5 and at the same time cause an oscillating twisting motion as illustrated in Figure l to be applied to the said racquet.

It is also pointed out that the position to which the ball is projected, in front of the racquet I2, may be selectively adjusted by varying the tension of the spring 36 by means of the adjusting sleeve 35.

The strength of the stroke which is given to the ball by the racquet may also be adjusted as desired, by varying the tension of the spring 26 by means of the adjusting nut 29. The average elevation at which the ball is played by the machine may be raised or lowered by adjusting the angle of the base 6 as illustrated in Figure 3, to the proper angle and rigidly clamping the same in position by means of the clamping nut 61.

It will be understood from the above description that in the operation of the machine, all of the various units remain in relatively fixed position with the exception of the frame 1. The ball placing mechanism remains in fixed position so that the cylinder 3| is relatively stationary while the racquet is swung by the frame 1 over the said cylinder in substantially the same manner as a player would throw the ball upwardly with his left hand, which corresponds to the placing mechanism comprising the cylinder 3i and the'piston 32, and swing the racquet with his right hand which corresponds to the frame I.

I claim:

1. A tennis playing machine comprising a base, an oscillating member pivotally mounted on said base, a racquet mounted on said member, means for varying the position of said racquet on said member, means for oscillating said member and thereby applying motion to said racquet, and. means for placing a ball in the path of movement of said racquet.

2. A tennis playing machine comprising an oscillating member, a racquet mounted on said member, means for varying the position of said racquet on said member during the oscillation thereof, a mechanism for placing a ball in the path of movement of said racquet to be struck thereby and means for returning said ball to the said placing mechanism.

3. A tennis playing machine comprising a racquet, means for applying oscillating motion to said racquet, means for variably positioning said racquet during oscillation thereof, means for placing the ball in the path of movement of said racquet, and. a conveyor adapted to return said balls to said placing mechanism.

4. A tennis playing machine comprising a base,

a frame pivotally mounted on said base, means for oscillating said frame, a racquet mounted on said frame, means for varying the position of said racquet on said frame, a crank adapted to oscillate said frame, a ball placing mechanism mounted on said base and adapted to place a ball in the path of movement of said racquet, and means for returning. said ball to the said placing mechanism.

5. A tennis playing machine comprising a sup port, a base adjustably mounted on said support, a frame pivotally mounted on said base, means for oscillating said frame, a racquet variably mounted on said frame, means for varying the position of said racquet on said frame, a ball projecting device mounted on said base and comprising a mechanism adapted to project a ball to a position in the path of movement of said racquet, and means for returning said ball to said mechanism.

6. A tennis playing machine comp-rising a support, a base adjustably mounted on said support, a frame pivotally mounted on said base, a racquet movably mounted in said frame, means com.- prising a cranking member adapted to variably position said racquet on said frame, means for applying oscillating motion to said frame, and

means for placing a ball in the path of movement of said racquet.

7. A tennis playing machine comprising a movable frame, a racquet variably supported on said frame, means comprising a crank member adapted to variably position said racquet on said frame, means for oscillating said racquet, and a ball placing device adapted to place a ball in a position to be struck by said racquet during movement thereof.

8. A tennis playing machine comprising a base, a racquet movably mounted thereon, means for imparting motion to said racquet, a ball placing device comprising a mechanism whereby a ball is placed in the path of movement of said racquet, means for adjusting the striking movement of said racquet, and means for adjusting the position in which said ball is placed before said racquet.

9. A tennis playing machine comprising a support, a base adjustably mounted thereon, a frame pivotally mounted on said base, a racquet sup ported on said frame, means comprising a crank adapted to move said frame in one direction, spring operated means adapted to move said frame in the opposite direction and a mechanism for placing a ball in position to be struck by said racquet.

10. A tennis playing machine comprising a support, a frame adjustably mounted on said support, a racquet movably mounted on said frame, means for applying oscillating motion to said racquet, said means comprising a cranking member adapted to move said racquet in one direction, and a spring member adapted to move in the opposite direction, a ball projecting mechanism comprising a chute on which balls are placed, a cylinder into which said balls are received, and a piston for projecting said balls in the path of movement of said racquet, a conveyor for placing said balls on said chute, and means comprising a net adapted to place said balls in position to be picked up by said conveyor.

11. A tennis playing machine comprising a base, a racquet movably mounted and adapted to strike a ball placed in the path of movement thereof, means for applying oscillating motion to said racquet comprising a driven shaft, a crank movably mounted thereon, a cranking pin rotatable with said shaft and adapted to engage said crank to move the same and thereby cause movement of said racquet in one direction, and means comprising a spring adapted to rotate said crank on said shaft away from said drive pin and cause rapid movement of said racquet in the opposite direction.

12. A tennis playing machine comprising a racquet, means for applying motion to said racquet, a ball placing mechanism comprising a projecting member for projecting said ball to a position in the path of movement of said racquet, means for applying motion to said projecting member comprising a driven shaft, a crank movably mounted thereon, a cranking pin rotatable with said shaft and adapted to engage said crank and thereby cause movement of said projecting member in one direction, and means comprising a spring to cause rapid movement of said projecting member in the opposite direction and thereby rotate said crank on said shaft away from said drive pin.

13. A tennis playing machine comprising a racquet mounted upon an oscillating member for movement thereby, means for varying the position of said racquet upon said oscillating member, and means for projecting a ball in the path of movement of said racquet to be struck thereby.

14. A tennis playing machine comprising a racquet, means for imparting oscillating motion to said racquet, a ball placing mechanism adapted to place a ball in a position to be struck by said racquet, and means for changing the position of said racquet during the oscillation thereof to cause the said ball to be projected in varying directions thereby.

15. A tennis playing machine comprising a racquet, means comprising an oscillating arm for imparting oscillating motion to said racquet, a ball placing device for placing a ball in the path of movement of said racquet to be struck thereby, and means comprising a crank for varying the position of said racquet with relation to said arm for causing said racquet to project successive balls in different directions upon striking the same.

16. A tennis playing machine comprising a racquet, means for applying motion to said racquet, and a ball placing device located below said racquet and adapted to project a ball to a free position in air in the path of movement of said racquet.

1'7. A tennis playing machine comprising a racquet, means for causing movement of said racquet, and means for projecting a ball upwardly to an unsupported position in the path of said movement.

18. A tennis playing machine comprising a movable member adapted to strike a ball, and means for projecting a ball upwardly into a free position in the air and in the path of the movement of said movable member.

19. In combination with a tennis playing machine comprising a member for striking a ball and means for applying motion to said member, a ball placing device adapted to project a ball upwardly and place the same, upon reaching substantially the limit of its upward movement, in a free position in the air to be struck by said member.

20. In an automatic tennis playing machine, the combination of a frame, ball projecting means carried by said frame, ball elevating means mounted on said frame and cooperating with said ball projecting means to successively elevate and deliver balls to the latter, means carried by said frame for delivering balls to said elevating means, ball striking means pivotally mounted on said frame above said projecting means and movable into and out of the path of balls projected vertically by said projecting means, means for oscillating said ball striking means on a horizontal axis to strike and propel such projected balls, means for elevating and lowering said ball striking means while it is being moved on its said horizontal axis, and means for oscillating said ball striking means on its longitudinal axis while it is being elevated and lowered and swung toward and away from the path of said projected balls.

JEREMIAH J. FAZIOLI. 

